It is widely known that the wines, for them not to lose their quality and taste, should be kept at the right temperature, and that’s exactly what a countertop wine cooler does. But it’s easy to make the wrong choice when it comes to finding the best countertop wine cooler, you can end up getting something that is ugly, noisy or just doesn’t do a good job. We doubt that you want to end up with such a wine cooler. And that’s why we’ve created this guide, to help you to find the ideal wine cooler for your kitchen or elsewhere in your home, which keeps your drinks at the ideal temperature.
In order to create our countertop wine cooler reviews, we’ve looked at a number of different features. For example, the size of the wine cooler. You will need to make sure it has the capacity for as many bottles as you want to include. We’ve also looked at the dimensions, so how much space it takes on the counter, as well as the weight, temperature range and whether or not a warranty is on offer to protect your purchase overall and cover you if there are any defects from the manufacturer. Taking into account all of these factors, the hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler became our top pick.
Other features: adjustable feet, 120 can capacity, interior LED light, 3 adjustable and removable shelves, memory functions, auto defrost mode
This is quite a big and bulky countertop wine cooler but it has some great functions making it the editor’s choice. It comes with a two year warranty which means that manufacturer defects are covered for this period of time.
It has a 3.2 cubic feet capacity which equates to around 60 bottles. This is a flexible model of cooler which means you can change the organizer shelves to suit. If you want to put other drinks in such as cans and smaller drinks bottles you may fit up to 120 in there.
In terms of the cooling, it has efficient cooling with a quiet compressor, so the air supply is strong but it doesn’t make a lot of noise. It cools all the way down to 34°F There’s also an LED light so you can see your beverages. The temperature controls make it really easy to change temperatures and there is even a memory function so it remembers your ideal temperature.
The adjustable feet and shelves make this one of the most flexible models on the market as well as being great for cooling.
What we like: The incredible capacity and flexibility allowing you to change the shelves and have a variety of wine and other drinks within.
What could be better: This is one of the heavier models on the market. It’s big and bulky so not as easy to move.
Other features: child safety auto-lock, digital soft-touch control, interior LED light, advanced cooling system, built-in circulation fan, ventilation grill
The Nutrichef brand is one that has grown a huge amount in recent years but they might not be best known for their fridges. That said, this does a great job of keeping your wine cool and offers excellent value for money.
The compressor is quiet, meaning that you don’t need to worry about this fridge annoying you while you are cooking or trying to relax. It’s vibration free so you won’t have to deal with annoying buzzes.
It has a 15 bottle capacity for wine, and you can store other drinks in it too. In terms of the temperature, it is adjustable between 41-64° degrees Fahrenheit. There’s also a control panel lock that stops your children from being able to change the settings, you don’t want to suddenly discover you have warm wine!
The control panel has a soft-touch button control and it is super simple to alter the temperatures.
What we like: The child lock makes a big difference, as this is a surprisingly common issue. The price is also a big plus point as this represents superb value.
What could be better: The racks are really only designed for wine bottles, it’s hard to store cans and other drinks within the wine cooler, so it could be a little more flexible in an ideal world.
Other features: 38 dB noise level, up to 60 can standard soda 220 ml, LCD display, double glass door, removable shelves, wine bottles 12.4 x 2.95 inch
The Antarctic Star Wine Cooler is one of the very best models of cooler when it comes to getting the right temperature. The temperatures you can use are between 40 and 61°F. Most people recommend 55.
This also has an air-tight seal which allows you to keep the humidity level stable as well so you don’t have too much moisture in the air. This can store up to 12 wine bottles, but can also store up to 60 standard soda cans if you want to alter or mix and match wheat you’re putting inside.
There’s a Blue LED light that is great for showcasing the wine without causing any sort of amage.
This is a vibration free model so you don’t get an annoying buzz, but it isn’t the most silent model on the market. It advertises that it has around a 38 dB volume which is pretty low, but not quite as good as some of the competitors.
What we like: One of the great things about this freestanding cooler is the adjustable legs that can level out the cooler even if it is on an uneven surface. You don’t have to use this model on a countertop as it can sit on the floor if needed too.
What could be better: It isn’t totally silent, so you might want to consider whether you need silence from your wine cooler. The volume is certainly not extreme.
Other features: LED light, blue temperature display, built-in circulation fan and ventilation grill, extra-large capacity
Do you need a cooler that is suitable not just for a few bottles of wine, but for a party or bigger gathering? Maybe you want a big home bar that is stocked with some beautiful wines, and a 24-bottle capacity is required for this.
The NutriChef Wine Cooler unit is great for this, and uses a compressor fan to cool as well as a circulation fan, the wine can stay at the right temperature and stay safe for a number of years if needed. As you would expect, it has the option to adjust temperatures. 41-64° Fahrenheit range means that you can set the ideal temperature for your wines.
It has a clever freestanding design, and an invisible hinge along with a stylish aluminum door and chrome racks. On the bottom, you can stand some bottles of your favorite wine.
This has a modern design including a digital touch button control panel, of course there is also an LED light.
This is an ultra-quiet model which means that the fan doesn’t tend to make a lot of noise at all.
What we like: The huge capacity is definitely beneficial, if you need something that is a bit bigger then something like the Nutrichef 24 Bottle Wine Cooler might be essential.
What could be better: It’s a heavy fridge and not easy to move from place to place. This is almost inevitable for a huge fridge, though.
Other features: 28 dB noise level, compact, dual-purpose, removable shelves
This is a budget and small countertop wine cooler, but this is still suitable for some people in spite of the size. If you are looking for a 12 bottle countertop wine cooler then you might want to look away, but if you are satisfied with something small and compact then this, the Teaswa wine cooler can do a great job for a small price tag.
Because of the smaller size it is also way more portable, you can easily put this in the back of a car and take it somewhere you are traveling to. You just need to make sure you can plug it back into the power when you get there. The small size also makes it suitable for a lot of different types of bottles and cans, with removable shelves so that you can use whatever setup you like. You can just as easily use this for cans.
Another cool feature for the Teaswa Wine Cooler is the fact that it can also keep things warm if needed. You can change the temperature and keep food hot until you are ready to eat it. It’s a really flexible piece of equipment.
It comes with a free AC/DC adapter and you can set it up to be powered within your car if you want to, which means even more portability.
What we like: This is so small and portable that you can take it on trips with you, using the portable charger.
What could be better: It doesn’t have a huge capacity.
If you are looking for a countertop wine cooler then there are a lot of different options and varieties of features to consider. Our buying guide is designed to help you to make the right decision for your own needs and think about the right features and functions for you. If you are looking for a wine cooler you might not know how to choose the correct model, there is a lot of variety in terms of features but also in terms of the price.
Our buying guide will help you to ensure you have considered all of the important things for a wine cooler, so that you don’t end up disappointed when it arrives.
What are the pros and cons of having a wine cooler?
Well, the positive things about wine coolers include the fact that they look good, they can turn your wine into something of a display within your kitchen rather than just being a way to keep your wine at the right temperature.
The biggest plus point is the fact that the wine coolers on this list help you to keep the wine at the ideal temperature to be served at. You can reliably set the temperature and monitor it throughout, so that you are enjoying the wine exactly as is intended. This is true for all different varieties and styles of wine.
Having a specific cooler for your wine can also free up space in the fridge within your home.
There are some downsides too, mainly the fact that it is going to cost you money, but also cost you some counter space in your kitchen, so you should think about whether you have the space for a countertop wine cooler before you take the plunge and buy one of the models above. It’s even more vital that you make the right choice in terms of size.
One downside to wine coolers is the fact that you might need multiple models if you have many different types of wine in your home. For example, if you like both red wine and white wine, you will potentially need to keep them at different temperatures so you can keep them in the best possible condition. There’s no real way at the moment to refrigerate them differently within the same countertop fridge.
What are the features that you need to think about when you are buying a wine cooler? What sort of things separate a good model of wine cooler from one that is not so strong? Different people will prioritize different features, so you may consider one feature to be way more vital than the others on this list. We’ve covered pretty much all of the key features to think about.
Most of the countertop wine coolers are suitable only to go on the top of your kitchen counter but many can also be free-standing, with adjustable feet that are suitable for sitting on the floor as well as sitting within your kitchen.
You can use the dimensions of the countertop wine cooler to work out if it will comfortably sit within your kitchen (or any other counter of course).
A lot of people just think about the surface area, but you need to think about the height as well and ensure you have the clearance to use your wine cooler. If you are worried about something that is lightweight and portable then you should also look at the weight rating and whether it is too heavy for you to handle! This also has a big impact when it comes to getting the wine cooler delivered.
If you are looking to buy a wine cooler then you need to make sure that it can reach the temperatures you want. Generally, you will be looking to get something that suits the type of wine you like most, and have in stock within your home. For example, the optimum temperatures for white and rose wine styles are quite cold, so you need to make sure your cooler can get to these lower temperatures.
How many bottles of wine can you fit within? If you are looking for your cooler to help you to store the wine as well as just having a suitable way to keep it cold then you are probably going to want something with a larger capacity.
This can be measured in cubic volumes but a more relevant measurement is how much can be fit within in terms of wine and other drinks. You might be looking to mix and match storage for wine, beer and other drinks.
What materials are the wine coolers made out of? Some of the models of cooler are quite pricey, so, as you would expect, they are made out of some decent materials. Not only do they need to have brilliant fans and compressors, they should be made out of high-quality materials in terms of the doors, hinges and general construction of the wine cooler. The Nutrichef 24 Bottle Wine Cooler uses chrome and stainless steel within the design. If you opt for a cheaper model then you might not get such high-quality materials but it really depends what you are looking for. Cheaper models might be sufficient.
You should make sure you buy a model that has some sort of warranty. Most models have a one-year warranty, but some, such as the hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler, have two years of protection. This means that if anything goes wrong with the compressor then you might end up having to make a claim on your cooler’s warranty.
What extra features are included to help to make the countertop wine coolers on the market even more appealing for you? All these different manufacturers are trying to compete and make their model of cooler stand out in a market that is full of options.
Some offer extremely quiet operation as a feature to draw people in. If you are worried about the volume of your cooler then it is worth looking at the noise the compressor makes, anything below 40 dB will be a very quiet and dull sound, as you will experience with Antarctic Star Wine Cooler model, which features only 38 dB noise level.
Other extra features we really like include adjustable feet, as by the hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler, which can compensate for a surface not being totally flat. For example, if you want to put a wine cooler on a tiled floor and you are worried about the fact that it will not be totally balanced.
Some also have timers and touch adjustments so you can easily set the temperature and alter the time at which the cooler comes on in order to have your wine at the perfect temperature you need.
Prices vary a lot. Some of the models can be purchased for around $200, and have decent capacities, but if you want to get a top or the range countertop wine cooler then you may need to spend closer to $500. The size also impacts upon the price, of course. When buying a wine cooler, 6 bottle countertop coolers tend to be a lot cheaper than bigger models that can handle 12 or 24 bottles, as you would expect.
Maintaining your wine cooler is relatively easy, and assuming you don’t have bottles breaking or leaking within then you can often get away with just giving it a regular wipe with an antibacterial wipe, such as once every 3-6 months.
Maintaining your wine cooler also means checking that nothing is freezing over. If you have it on a very low temperature then it could be that some ice appears, so you need to try and ensure this doesn’t happen. If it does, it could be time to defrost before cooling down the wine once again.
Luckily, countertop wine coolers are really simple and straightforward to look after so you won’t spend a lot of time considering how you keep the wine in the best condition.
Keeping at the right temperature isn’t just about keeping the wine pleasant when drinking it, it is also about ensuring the wine doesn’t get damaged or love flavors over time.
The hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler is our editor’s choice and we’ve given this model of wine cooler a rating of 9.9/10. It has a great capacity and a level of flexibility so you can change the shelves to suit and mix and match what you are storing within. Cans and smaller bottled drinks are just as easy as wine.
Next, our value pick is the Nutrichef Refrigerator which comes with a rating of 9.8/10. It is a good quality model and has some great extra features such as touch controls, in spite of not costing a huge amount of money. This wine cooler is a good option for those who only want to store wine as it isn’t as flexible as some of the other best countertop wine cooler options.
The Antarctic Star Wine Cooler is one of the very best models of cooler when it comes to getting the right temperature. The temperatures you can use are between 40 and 61°F. We’ve given it a high rating of 9.5/10.
